Category Archives: chicanery

“Mayor de Blasio’s Campaign Fund-Raising Scrutinized in U.S. Corruption Inquiry”

April 9, 2016, 6:22 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

NYT: A wide-ranging federal corruption investigation centered on two businessmen with ties to Mayor Bill de Blasio is also examining some aspects of his campaign fund-raising, a person with knowledge of the matter said on Friday. The investigation, which… Continue reading

“Group wants investigation of Kris Kobach and federal election official Brian Newby”

April 7, 2016, 7:53 amchicanery, election administration, Election Assistance CommissionRick Hasen

AP: A nonprofit public advocacy group called Wednesday for an investigation of a top federal elections official in the wake of a media report about his communications with one of the nation’s leading advocates of voting restrictions. Washington, D.C.,-based… Continue reading

Reform Groups File #SCOTUS Amicus Briefs Opposing Gov. McDonnell’s Citizens United Defense for Bribery

April 6, 2016, 2:15 pmbribery, campaign finance, chicanery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

CLC Brennan Center Democracy 21 and Public Citizen

Caperton Coda: Blankenship Gets a Year in Jail for Mining Disaster

April 6, 2016, 9:34 amchicaneryRick Hasen

NYT: The sentencing, in Federal District Court here, came six years and one day after an explosion tore through Massey’s Upper Big Branch mine, killing 29 people. Although Mr. Blankenship was not accused of direct responsibility for the… Continue reading

“Could Republican Convention delegates be bought? Legally, maybe”

April 4, 2016, 8:46 ambribery, chicanery, political parties, primariesRick Hasen

CNN has this report. I’d be careful with this analysis, and point readers to this fascinating Brian Svoboda post.on whether RNC delegates at a contested convention could be bribed.

“Jury: Wittich violated campaign finance laws”

April 2, 2016, 5:26 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

AP: A jury found Friday that a Montana lawmaker coordinated with and received services from conservative corporate groups in violation of state campaign laws, a ruling that could lead to his removal from office and bolster the state’s defense… Continue reading

“How to Hack an Election”

April 1, 2016, 4:38 amchicaneryRick Hasen

Bloomberg: For eight years, Sepúlveda, now 31, says he traveled the continent rigging major political campaigns. With a budget of $600,000, the Peña Nieto job was by far his most complex. He led a team of hackers that stole… Continue reading

“Eatonville mayor suspended by governor after arrest over voter-fraud allegations”

March 30, 2016, 9:00 amchicaneryRick Hasen

Orlando Sentinel: Gov. Rick Scott suspended Eatonville Mayor Anthony Grant on Tuesday evening following his indictment on voter-fraud charges earlier in the week. “It is in the best interests of the residents of the Town of Eatonville, and the… Continue reading

“Blagojevich Cert. Denial Seen as Bad Sign for McDonnell”

March 28, 2016, 8:12 pmbribery, chicaneryRick Hasen

Bloomberg BNA: he U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of a petition for review of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s (D) corruption case could signal that the justices are unlikely to overturn the conviction of former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell (R)… Continue reading

“Supreme Court lets Blagojevich conviction stand”

March 28, 2016, 7:42 amchicanery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Bob Barnes for WaPo: The Supreme Court on Monday said it would not review the conviction of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges. The justices without comment let stand an appeals court ruling that said Blagojevich (D) illegally… Continue reading

“Valley councilwoman’s aides sought $5 and $10 donations that are focus of U.S. inquiry”

March 27, 2016, 3:18 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

LAT: Huerta, 30, is one of at least five lower-level Martinez staffers who solicited and collected $5 and $10 contributions to the councilwoman’s re-election effort, according to interviews with several of her constituents in the San Fernando Valley. Those… Continue reading

“Rep. Brown Investigated by DOJ for Alleged Fraud”

March 24, 2016, 7:52 amcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Bloomberg BNA: Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.) is being investigated by the Justice Department regarding allegations that she might have engaged in a conspiracy to solicit fraudulent charitable contributions. The DOJ investigation was disclosed in a March 23 statement from… Continue reading

“Project Veritas Vote Fraud Investigator Subpoenaed by NH AG”

March 18, 2016, 7:45 amchicanery, fraudulent fraud squadRick Hasen

Concord Patch reports.

Wishful Thinking Dep’t

March 16, 2016, 7:50 pmchicaneryRick Hasen

Politico: If the Republican National Committee is worried about the possibility of a contentious contested convention, one of its top officials showed no signs of concern Wednesday, even after the party’s front-runner warned of possible riots in Cleveland if… Continue reading